The two topics on the agenda of the Coronavirus Task Force on Friday were the vaccine Distribution Plan and Repatriation Plan.
Reporting on the meeting, Chairman Iulogologo Joseph Pereira said Governor Lolo Moliga approved American Samoa opting in for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
The Pfizer vaccine will be used to vaccinate healthcare workers and first responders followed by the most vulnerable population.
“When the Moderna vaccine arrives the general public will be vaccinated based on the approved priority ranking contained in the Plan,” said Iulogologo.
Discussion also focused on possible vaccination of stranded residents before or upon arrival.
The governor instructed the Coronavirus Task Force Co Chairs, CEO of LBJ Hospital Faumuina John Faumuina and Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua to finalize the Vaccine Distribution Plan for his final approval.
And the Plan will be subsequently presented to the new leaders for their review and action.
National media report that the US Food and Drug Administration could authorize Pfizer’s COVID vaccine this week as US coronavirus deaths surge.
The FDA is scheduled to convene a meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, on Thursday to review Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine with German drug maker BioNTech for emergency use authorization.
A committee member James Hildreth told NBC’s Weekend Today Saturday that an authorization could come as early as Friday.
Emergency use authorization means the FDA will allow some adults to receive the vaccine as the agency continues to evaluate data. It isn’t the same as full approval which can typically take months.
Regarding the Repatriation Plan, Iulogolgo said the COVID -19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force has recommended and Governor Lolo has approved to push back the target date of January 19, 2021 30 days “until we learn more on the efficacy and the effect of the vaccine on our people particularly on the length of immunity after the vaccine is administered.”
